For Immediate Release:
February 24, 2006

Contact:
Nanci Gonder
Office of Public Information
573-751-6062

Missouri Included in National Product Recall on Infant Formula Due to Possible Metal Fragment Contamination

The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services announced today that infant-formula maker Mead Johnson Nutritionals is recalling one complete lot of infant baby formula due to the possible contamination with metal particles. It is currently unclear how much of the product was distributed in Missouri or where it can be found, but the health department is urging consumers to check the lot numbers on any GENTLEASE powdered infant formula 24 ounce cans they may have in their homes.

Earlier, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced that Mead Johnson was conducting the recall for their GENTLEASE powdered infant formula 24 ounce cans with . t T he product 's lot number is BMJ19, with a use-by date of 1 Jul 07. This lot was found to contain metal particles, consisting of up to 2.7 millimeter in size.

According to the recall, no illnesses have been reported to date. However, if an infant were to inhale the infant formula into the lungs, these particles could present a serious risk to the infant's respiratory system and throat. Any injuries associated with this problem would likely be experienced within three to four hours. The symptoms could be varied depending on whether there is damage to the throat or lungs. Damage to the throat may include coughing, difficulty swallowing or difficulty breathing. Similarly, damage to the lungs could include coughing and difficulty breathing. If anyone believes that an infant may have been fed formula from this lot of GENTLEASE, and they have any concerns about the baby's health, they should contact the baby's physician or another healthcare professional for guidance.

There were approximately 41,464 24-ounce cans of this lot of recalled product distributed, beginning on December 16, 2005, through many major retail stores across the country. Therefore, the consumer should concentrate on the code on the can rather than on the place of purchase. The affected products can be identified by the lot number and expiration/use-by date embossed on the bottom of the can (BMJ19/Use-by 1 Jul 07).

Mead Johnson informed the FDA of this problem; FDA and Mead Johnson are currently investigating the cause of the metal particles found in the infant formula.

Consumers who have a can of this batch of GENTLEASE powdered infant formula 24 ounce cans should not use the product and should contact Mead Johnson at 888-587-7275 immediately.